Open your eyes!

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." 

--Isaiah 43:19 (King James translation)

(It isn't often I would choose to quote the King James, but there is something magnificent and inviting about that word-- Behold!)

By the time this posts, many of my friends around the globe will already be starting the new year, 2013. While I have never celebrated anywhere but the States, I suspect it is similar in many respects, wherever you go. Here, there will be laughter, and probably champagne, music, dancing-- and that "necessary" kiss at the drop of the ball in Times Square. (My cats will probably wake up long enough to nuzzle each other-- and me. We excel at excitement here on New Year's Eve. . . .)

Time as we celebrate it is a largely artificial construct. We developed this calendar system that has to add a day every four years, and an atomic second every now and then, to keep us in balance with the natural order of things.

Other cultures operate on a lunar calendar. This means that among other things, holidays "move." Some years, for instance, Ramadan falls in February; several years later, it lands in July. Can you imagine that in our Christian lives? Having, literally, Christmas in July every now and then? 

But I digress.

Each January, we ring in a new year. But the reality is, every day we begin anew. Every twenty-four hours brings us a fresh start. And so, assuming the Mayans were not just "off" by a year, we are now, each one of us, gifted with 365 fresh starts in the year ahead.

Three hundred sixty-five gifts, neatly laid out before us, waiting to be opened, one at a time.

It's like Christmas-- on steroids.

Remember when you were little and you opened a really great gift-- maybe the train set or Barbie doll you wanted so badly? What were the first words out of your mouth?

"WOW!!! Thank you! I love it!"

Not a bad way to look at a new day, eh?

And when you opened that garish sweater (or maybe the vacuum cleaner you needed, but sure did not expect to find under the tree), you still probably said thank you. A bit less genuine, perhaps, but still-- thank you. It was the right thing to do. Right?

And later when you sat down to write a thank-you note, maybe your mother sat with you, and helped you find the right words, a way to peek into the heart of the giver. And the thanks began to ring a but more truly. The sweater still was a bit garish (and the vacuum still-- sucked), but you began to pull your nose out of your navel and remember the giver who truly, honestly, meant well and loves you.

Ever have days when the thanks were a bit more difficult to give? (I have. A lot. Some days, it's really hard to find the "gratitude place" in my heart.)

But still the Giver gives in love. Perhaps the Giver is hoping we will find creative, new ways to see these challenging days in a new light, to find the beauty in them.

Which eyes will you use this year?

Will you look through the eyes of a child, ever-dazzled by the beauty of a new day? Will you, maybe, be the "sugar" that sweetens the lemonade of another?

Will you be the kind hand that reaches out? The loving heart that offers, expecting nothing in return? Will you clothe yourself in the love of Christ and then go out in the world bearing that love to others?

It isn't always easy. Some days, it feels darned near impossible. But here's the deal:

We almost always find exactly what we go looking for. 

Seek love; find love. Seek happiness; find joy. Wanting a new world? Be the change.

Happy New Year to my friends who so patiently put up with my drivel. I pray you find, here, what you came looking for. And I pray, when you do find it, that like the beggar who has found bread, you do not keep it to yourself, but share it with others who may be hungry, too.

Peace, love, joy and prosperity of heart be yours, this day and every day. Amen.